Apparatus for winding fabric



Nov. 10, 1936. G. F. WIKLE APPARATUS FOR WINDING FABRIC Filed Jan. 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet v1 I N V EN TOR.

650/764 F. M/flf @1 TTB YS.

Q Y B 3 NOV. 10, 1936. G, wlKLE APPARATUS FOR WINDING FABRIC Filed Jan. 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov. 10, 1936. G w|KLE 2,060,269

APPARATUS FOR WINDING FABRIC Filed Jan. 5, 1934 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A TTO NEYS.

Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNTED STATES PTT OFFIQE APPARATUS FOR WINDING FABRIC New Jersey Application January 5, 1934, Serial No. 705,375

3 Claims.

My invention relates to apparatus for winding fabric. In particular, it relates tothe handling or treatment of fabrics, such as tire fabrics, prior to their employment in the construction of a pneumatic tire.

An object of my invention is to divide a width of fabric into a plurality of narrow strips, and subsequently wind said strips into .a plurality of separate rolls.

Another object is to provide replacement rolls for winding up the strip material in quick succession so that the movement of the strip material is substantially continuous.

As an example of the use of my invention, I illustrate the apparatus as operating upon certain fabric strips which are used in the manufacture of pneumatic tire casings. These strips are referred to as flipper or chafing strips. The purpose of binding the strips is to insulate the edges thereof from the remaining portion of a tire carcass. Generally, this is the customary practice in pneumatic tire manufacture.

In general, the operations which my apparatus performs consist in splicing together a series of bias cut fabric strips so as to form a continuous length, and longitudinally slitting the spliced fabric strips so as to form a plurality of narrower strips. In simultaneous operation, a wide strip of cushion or soft rubber stock is fed into the apparatus and slit into a plurality of strips forming ribbons which are carried in continuous movement to the fabric strips to which they are attached by folding around the edges thereof. Fabric strips as thus assembled with the binding ribbon pass over a movable carriage, and are wound up into a plurality of rolls with a strip of lining material interposing the convolutions of the fab- .ric strips, the movable carriage having for its purpose to quickly transfer the leading end of the fabric strips from a completed roll to an empty spool.

The foregoing objects and advantages will appear more fully in the following detailed description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a sectional end view of the embodiment taken along lines III-III of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a detailed view, in section, of the wind-up drive roll taken along line IVIV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detailed elevational view of the con-- veyor drive mechanism taken along line V-V of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of means for assembling the ribbon stock with the strip material; and

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a portion of the ribbon conveyor, taken along line VII-VII of Fig. 2.

Broadly, my invention comprises a splicing conveyor I, a slitting device 2, a ribbon conveyor 3, a binding mechanism 4, a wind-up unit 5, and a transfer carriage 6.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, my apparatus is supported generally by structural framework comprising upright members I, 8, 9, I9 and Ii. These members, together with horizontal connecting channels I2, I3, I4, I5 and I6, form in combination a skeleton framework for the fabric slitting and binding mechanism.

The supporting members for the transfer carriage and wind-up unit comprise upright members I1 and I8, together with horizontal members I9, 283 and BI, and supporting legs 22.

Splicing conveyor The splicing conveyor I (Figs. 1 and 2) consists of a conventional table 23 having a conveyor belt 24 and driving roller 25. This driving roller is connected to a source of power, hereinafter described, through a sprocket 26 and chain 21. On this conveyor is placed a number of successive strips of fabric 28, and spliced to form a continuous length 29. As is generally customary in the manufacture of pneumatic tire elements, the fabric is cut on a conventional bias cutter where relatively narrow strips are automatically and. intermittently cut from a large roll of fabric. This fabric may consist of parallel cords, or it may be of square woven fabric, properly frictioned or rubberized. In the preparation of flipper and chafing strips it is preferable to use square woven fabric.

After leaving the splicing conveyor I, the continuous strip of fabric 29 (Figs. 1 and 2) is permitted to form a loop, after which it is drawn upwardly over a driven roller 30 having a shaft 3! which it is mounted in bearings 32, 33 and 34 attached to the upright members 8, II) and II respectively.

Power is supplied to the roller 30 by means of a motor 35 and reduction unit 36 which are supported on a plate 31 attached to the horizontal structural members I3 and I4. A sprocket 38 attached to the reduction unit 36 connects with a sprocket 39 attached to the shaft 3| by means of a chain 40. The shaft 3! also carries a sprocket M which associates with a chain 2'! for driving the splicing conveyor I.

The driven roller 30 forms a part of the actual slitting device; that is, it has a hard surface which cooperates with a knife disc 42 which is held against the roller 30 by means of spring pressure. This is accomplished by an arm 43 which supports the disc 42, and which is pivoted to the frame work at 44. A spring 45 attached to the arm 43 cooperates with a restricting bar 45 associated with brackets 41 attached to the framework, thereby operating to supply the desired tension of the disc 42 against the roller 39.

As the fabric 29 is drawn upward by the roller 39 it is properly located relative to the slitting disc 42 by means of a guide pan 49 attached to the framework by means of a bracket 49. After the fabric is thus slit, it passes downward and around a roller 59, disposed beneath the roller 39, and attached to the framework by means of brackets 5|.

From the roller 59 the fabric strip 29, which is now divided into a plurality of strips 52 and 53, passes around a roller 54 supported from the framework by a bracket 55. This latter roller 54 locates the plurality of strips in their proper positions for the subsequent operation.

Ribbon conveyor In order to supply ribbon stocks in properly gauged widths for the purpose of binding the edges of the fabric strips 52 and 53, I provide a slitting and conveyor mechanism (Figs. 1, 2, 5 and 7) which cooperates with the movement of the fabric strip material. Essentially, this conveyor comprises horizontal channels 56 and 51 positioned on and disposed at right angles to the connecting channels I 6. Channels 56 and 51 support rollers 58 and 59 which, in turn, carry a conveyor belt 50. The conveyor belt is driven from the roller 59 (Fig. 1) by means of miter gear GI, and miter gear 62 which is attached to the horizontal shaft 63 running along the length of the conveyor. A sprocket 54 attached to the shaft 63 connects with the power driven shaft SI through the sprocket 65 attached thereto and a chain 66.

Rubber sheet stock 6'! (Fig. 1) is fed into the machine from a source (not shown) in the form of a wide continuous strip of sheet rubber. In order to gauge properly the width of the narrow strips of rubber, I provide a slitting unit which comprises a hard surfaced roller 58 mounted in bearings attached to the channels 56 and 51. This roller 68 is driven through a miter gear 69 which meshes with a second miter gear I9 attached to the driven shaft 63. A plurality of cutter discs II are positioned above the roller 53 in a manner to press with force against the roller 68, similarly to the manner in which the disc cutter 42 operates to slit the fabric 29 at the slitting device 2.

It is preferable that the strip of rubber 61 be of such width that the proper number of ribbons may be cut therefrom, leaving a surplus at the edges of the strip 6'! in order to insure that the widths of the ribbons will be accurately gauged. In the present case the plurality of cutter discs II operate to slit the strip of rubber 6? into a plurality of ribbons I2, I3, 14 and I5, leaving margins I6 and II as surplus material which may be scrapped.

As the ribbons I2 to I5 move toward the central part of the conveyor they are independently withdrawn therefrom. A plurality of guide rollers I8, I9 and (Fig. 7) positioned transversely of the conveyor and mounted on the conveyor channels 55 and 5'1, assist in properly directing the ribbons after they are withdrawn from the conveyor.

The ribbon conveyor and rubber stock slitting means operate to slit longitudinally the width of rubber stock 53' into a plurality of ribbons of accurate gauge in width, and to carry these ribbons along the conveyor belt 59 where, with the aid of guide rollers I9, I9 and 89, they are properly positioned for the subsequent operation.

Binding mechanism Having now a plurality of fabric strips 52 and 53, and a plurality of ribbons 2 to I5, I provide means for asembling the ribbons with the fabric strips in a manner wherein the ribbons are laid in overlapped relation with the edges of the fabric strips, and subsequently folded around said edges so as to completely enclose the edges of the fabric strips.

As shown particularly in Fig. 2, the fabric strip 52 leaving the roller 59 passes downwardly under roller BI where it is deflected and passed through two sets of stitching rollers 82-453 and 8485, also shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6. Roller I3 I is supported by a bracket 85 suspended from the horizontal member I5. Rollers 82 and 93 are mounted on a bracket 8'! which also extends from the horizontal member I5. In like manner a bracket 88 supports the rollers 84 and 85. From the roller 84 the fabric 52 passes upward where it is deflected around roller 89 to a subsequent operation.

As shown in Fig. 2, the ribbons I2 and I3 are carried upward away from the conveyor belt 69 and through a guiding device 99 which positions the ribbons in proper overlapping relation with the strip of fabric 52. The stitching rollers 82 and 93 operate to roll the fabric in proper adhesion with the ribbons. Interposing the sets of stitching rollers 82-93 and 9485 are turnover fingers 92 which are positioned at the edges of the fabric, and which operate to turn the overlapping ribbon up and around the edges of the fabric 52. Following the turnover operation, the rollers 84 and 85 complete the stitching operation, so that the ribbons I2 and I3 securely adhere to both surfaces bordering the edges of the fabric.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the lower stitching rollers 83 and 85 are attached to sprockets 93 and 94 respectively, for the purpose of driving the stitching mechanism in synchronism with the movement of the fabric. The roller 83 also carries a sprocket 95 which connects with sprocket 94 by means of a chain 95. Sprocket 93 associates with a chain 91 and connects with driving means hereinafter described.

In a somewhat similar manner the fabric strip 53 is assembled with the ribbons I4 and I5; that is, the fabric strip 53 is deflected around roller 98, and passes between stitching rollers 99-IOI and IDII92. Guiding device I03 positions the ribbons I4 and I5 in correct relative position with the fabric strip 53, and turnover fingers I94 position the ribbon around the fabric edges. Bracket I95 which supports the rollers 99 and I 99 to the framework also supports an auxiliary countershaft I 96 (Fig. 5). This shaft I96 carries a sprocket IB'I which associates with chain 91 for driving the stitching rollers 8283 and 84-85. Countershaft I 96 also carries a gear I98 which meshes with a gear I99 attached to the roller I99, for the purpose of driving same in the proper direction. The roller I00 carries a sprocket III] which, through chain III,

engages with a sprocket I I2 for driving the roller I02. The countershaft I06 carries a sprocket II 3, and the horizontal conveyor drive shaft 63 also carries a sprocket II4, which drives the auxiliary shaft I06 through the medium of a chain I I5.

After the fabric strip 53, assembled with the ribbons 14 and 15, leaves the stitching rollers IN and I02 the stock passes downwardly around roller II6 where it is deflected horizontally; and after passing around roller II1 it extends upward whereby, through the aid of roller II8, it is properly positioned for a subsequent operation.

As thus described, the fabric strips are properly edged with ribbons of rubber, and are properly stitched in assembly and positioned for the wind-up operation.

Wind-up unit After the fabric strips are assembled with the rubber ribbons, they pass through a transfer carriage 6 hereinafter described, and are wound up on removable spools I I9. This is shown particularly in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The spools II9 are rotatable on pins I20 extending from arms I2I pivoted to brackets I22 attached to the horizontal structural members 20 and 2|. The spools II9 are positioned in a manner so that they rest upon drive rollers generically indicated by numeral I23.

As is customary with rubberized fabric of this type, it is preferable to wind the assembled fabric strips and rubber ribbons between convolutions of a liner I24, such as a strip of ordinary cloth. This liner I24 is sup-plied in the form of rolls which are permitted to rest in a pan I25 attached to the structural framework directly beneath the drive rollers I23. The pan I25 is divided by a number of partitions I26 so as to form a plurality of retainers for holding the rolls of liner stock.

As shown in Fig. 2, the liner I24 for any spool I I9 is drawn upward from the liner roll and partially around the drive roller I23 in a counterclockwise direction, after which it is attached to the spool II9 by winding it therearound for a few convolutions in a clockwise direction. The spool I I9 is now ready to receive the fabric strips assembled with the rubber ribbons.

In order to obtain an expeditious operation of the apparatus, I provide a plurality of drive rollers I23 which are double in number relative to the number of fabric strips with assembled ribbons. As shown in Fig. 3, the transfer carriage 6 is so positioned that drive rollers I21 and I28 of the generic group I23 are located in actuating position for simultaneously winding up the fabric strips. During the interval when the stock is being wound up through the assistance of drive rollers I21 and I28, other drive rollers I29 and I30 respectively of the generic group I 23 adjacent thereto are in inactive position; that is, they do not rotate.

Means for driving the different sets of rollers I21I23 and I29-I39 at different intervals is shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 4. In general, these rollers are freely rotatable on a quill shaft I3I supported by bearings I32 and I33 attached to the horizontal members 20 and 2I respectively. Attached to the quill shaft I 3I is a sprocket I34 meshing with a chain I35 which in turn engages with driving means hereinafter described. The quill I3! rotates continuously during the operation of the machine. In order to permit one set of rollers I2'II28 to rotate while the other set of rollers I 29I30 remain inactive, I provide a shaft I36 slidably positioned within the quill I3I for the purpose of actuating clutch means within the rollers. The slidable shaft I36 carries a transverse pin I31 positioned within the edge of the drive rollers. This pin I31 extends through an oblong slot I 38 in the quill I3I. This allows the pins I31 to be carried in longitudinal movement with the shaft I36, while at the same time the quill I3I is restricted to rotary movement. The shaft I36 also rotates with the quill I3I for the reason that the pins I31 extend through the elongated slots I38 in the quill I3 I.

The clutch mechanism within each drive roller, as shown in Fig. 4, comprises a hub I39 attached to the drive roller, freely rotatable on the quill I3I, and having inwardly disposed clutch teeth I40. Adjacent thereto is a clutch collar I4I having complementary teeth I42 for engagement with teeth I40 of the hub I39. The collar I4I is slidable on the quill I3I, and is subject to longitudinal movement by reason of its association with the pin I31 extending from the shaft I36. A spring I43 normally retains the clutch teeth I40 and I42 in engaged relation unless restrained therefrom by movement of the shaft I36. The opposite end of the spring I43 is restricted by a retaining collar I44 attached to the quill I3I as by means of a set screw.

It will be noted that the clutch mechanisms within the adjacent drive rollers are oppositely positioned, whereby, depending upon the position of the shaft I36, one set of rollers are in driving position; that is, they are attached to the quill I3I, whereas the other set of rollers are free to rotate upon the quill I3 I.

Actuation of the shaft I35 in longitudinal movement is accomplished automatically according to the operation of the machine. As shown in Fig. 3, the outer end of the shaft I36 terminates in a grooved collar I45 to which is associated a yoke arm I46 attached to a shaft I41 supported by brackets I48 joining the structural framework. The shaft I41 attaches to a lever I49 which has at its upper end a slotted aperture I50 for connection to actuating means hereinafter described.

Accordingly, while one set of drive rollers such as I21 and I28 are in operation, the other set of drive rollers I29 and I30 are disengaged from the driving source; so that completed rolls of fabric and interposed convolutions of liner may be removed therefrom and empty spools H9 may be threaded with a liner and placed in engagement with the drive rollers I29 and I39 until the rollers I21 and I29 operate to complete a roll of fabric. at which time the transfer carriage I5 is shifted in a manner to supply the leading end of the assembled fabric and rubber ribbon to the rollers I29 and I30 in the manner hereinafter described.

Transfer carriage Interposing the wind-up unit and the binding mechanism is a transfer carriage 6 which has for its purpose to position the assembled fabric strips and rubber ribbons at the desired wind-up location in an expeditious manner. This carriage is particularly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The main framework of the carriage comprises a structural channel I5I and brackets I52 and I53 extending therefrom. Slide rods I54 and I55, horizontally positioned and rigidly attached to the upright members I1 and I0 of the structural framework, act as a support upon which the frame of the carriage is slidable. Extending from the brackets I52 and I53 are arms I56 which support guide rollers I51 and I58 through which the assembled fabric strips are threaded, and which act as guides to properly position the fabric strips according to movement of the carriage.

A driven roller I59 slidably keyed to a shaft I66 mounted in bearings in the upright members I1 and I8 is driven from the reduction unit 36 by means of sprockets I6I and I62 and a chain I63. Rollers I64 pivoted to a rod I65 supported by the brackets I52 and I53 bear against the fabric stock as it passes around the roller I59. These rollers I64 assist the roller I59 in its frictional engagement with the fabric stock.

The shaft I60 carries a sprocket 9| keyed thereto for associating with the chain I35, thus completing the drive from the motor 35 to the windup unit 5.

At the lower part of the transfer carriage are small feed conveyors I66. The primary purpose of these conveyors is to feed the leading end of the fabric stock directly into the convolutions of the liner at the wind-up spools H9. The feed conveyors I66 are supported from the carriage channel I5! by means of brackets I61. Means for driving the feed conveyors I66 is supplied from the driven shaft I60, which carries a sprocket I68 slidably keyed to the shaft I60 and rotatably retained by means of yoke arm I69 attached to the bracket I52. The sprocket I68 cooperates with drive shaft I10 of the feed conveyors I66 through sprocket Ill and chain I12.

Additional positive means for driving the fabric strips at the feed conveyors I66 is supplied by rollers I13 tangently positioned adjacent to the feed conveyors. These rollers I13 are driven from the shaft I19 by means of a gear I14 attached thereto and meshing with gear I15 keyed to shaft I16 on which the rollers I13 are mounted.

Actuating means for moving the transfer carriage 6 along the slide rods I54 and I55 is provided by an air cylinder I11 attached to the upright member I8. A piston rod I18 associated with the cylinder I11 joins with the carriage frame channel I5I at I19. Thus, by actuation of the air cylinder I11, the transfer carriage 6 is caused to move along the slide rods I54 and I55 to properly position the feed conveyors I66 in relation with the drive rollers I21 to I30.

An extension rod I attached to the piston rod I18 pivotally connects with the lever I49 for the purpose of actuating the carriage mechanism within the drive rollers I21 to I30 in accordance with movement of the transfer carriage 6.

Assuming that the apparatus is in operative position and that the fabric strips are threaded through the guide rollers I51 and I56 (Fig. 3), the fabric strips are passed between the rollers I64 and the roller I59, and extend downward and between the rollers I 13 and the feed conveyors I66. The terminating or leading ends of the fabric strips, when the machine is stopped for change of rolls, lie somewhere on the feed conveyor I66.

Assuming also that empty spools II9 are attached to liners I24 and are allowed to rest against the rollers I 21 and I28, the apparatus is ready for operation.

When the carriage is in the position shown in Fig. 3, the rollers I21 and I28 are in positive driven relation. The leading ends of the fabric strips are now moved into the convolutions of the liner and the machine is permitted to continue in operation until proper size rolls of fabric are accumulated. At this point the operator throws a switch or other stopping mechanism (not shown) to cut off the power, and the apparatus comes to rest. Thereafter, the operator with the aid of a knife or scissors cuts the fabric strips at a location somewhere along the feed conveyors I66. Immediately the operator actuates an air valve (not shown) and the transfer carriage 6 as shown in Fig. 3 moves to the left so that the feeding conveyors I66 are disposed adjacent the rollers I29 and I36. This operation also actuates the clutch control levers I49 and I46 for releasing the drive from rollers I21 and I28 and for engaging the clutch mechanism of rollers I29 and I36.

While the machine is in operation and rolls of fabric are built up through the assistance of drive rollers I21 and I29, the operator places empty spools II9 with liners I24 attached thereto in engagement with drive rollers I29 and I36. Therefore, as soon as the transfer carriage 6 is shifted to the left, the machine is again started and the leading ends of the fabric strips are driven to form further rolls of stock on the spools adjacent the drive rollers I29 and I36. The full rolls are removed from the spools I 69 adjacent drive rollers I21 and I26; new spools are placed thereon; the liners I24 attached thereto; and the apparatus continues in a similar cycle of operation.

While I have shown a present preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In a fabric preparing machine, a frame, a plurality of wind-up rolls, and a transfer head comprising fabric feeding rolls movable within said frame for selectively supplying strips to said wind-up rolls.

2. In an apparatus of the character described,

a plurality of supports for windup rolls, driving means for each of the rolls, means for selectively actuating said driving means, a movable head comprising driving rolls for selectively supplying strips of fabric to said wind-up rolls, and means for selectively controlling said actuating means in accordance with the position of said head.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurailty of supports for wind-up rolls, means for selectively actuating said rolls, a movable head comprising fabric engaging rolls for supplying material to the windup rolls, and means for selectively controlling the actuating means in accordance with the position of said head.

GEORGE F. WIKLE. 

